The period of time covered by the exhibits extends back to the Bronze Age and through the Middle Ages, but the museum primarily concerns itself with Hull's maritime history from the 19th century onward.[2] The museum's exhibits are arranged along the following primary themes:[2][5]

In the 1980s, Hull groups such as The Red Guitars, The Housemartins and Everything But the Girl found mainstream success.[128]Paul Heaton, former member of The Housemartins went on to front The Beautiful South.[129] Another former member of The Housemartins, Norman Cook, now performs as Fatboy Slim.[130] In 1983, Hull-born Paul Anthony Cook, Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman formed the group Sade. In 1984, the singer Helen Adu signed to CBS and the group released the album Diamond Life. The album went Triple Platinum in the UK.[131] Vocalist and actor Roland Gift, who formed the Fine Young Cannibals, grew up in Hull.[132] The pioneering industrial band Throbbing Gristle formed in Hull; Genesis P-Orridge (Neil Megson) attended Hull University between 1968 and 1969, where he met Cosey Fanni Tutti (Christine Newby), who was born in the city, and first became part of the Hull performance art group COUM Transmissions in 1970.[133][134][135] The record label Pork Recordings started in Hull in the mid-1990s and has released music by Fila Brazillia,[136] Mr Beasley and The Brilliance among others. The Sesh night has released four DIY compilations featuring the cream of Hull's live music scene and there are currently a few labels emerging in the city, including Purple Worm Records[137] and Empire. The Adelphi is a popular local venue for alternative live music in the city, and has achieved notability outside Hull, having hosted such bands as The Stone Roses, Radiohead, Green Day, and Oasis in its history,[138] while the Springhead caters to a variety of bands and has been recognised nationally as a Live Music Pub of the Year.[139]

The Boulevard is a multi-purpose stadium in Hull, England. The venue was saved from demolition and reopened on 25 October 2007 as the home of greyhound racing in the city. It can also be used as a community stadium hosting amateur rugby league matches.[1]

Hull FC play their home games at the stadium, having relocated from the Boulevard.[33] During their time at the KC Stadium, they have consistently ended each season on a high note: in 2003, the team just missed play-off qualification; in 2004, the club finished third.[33] They finished fourth in 2005, and enjoyed even greater success in the Challenge Cup, in which they beat the Leeds Rhinos in the final.[33] Hull FC reached the Super League Grand Final in 2006.[34] Attendances average around 14,000,[32] but are often well above that figure when the club hosts local rivals Hull Kingston Rovers,[35] this local derby producing a record crowd of 23,004 for the 2 September 2007 fixture.[35]